Quick drying flatiron



June 25, 1946. Y

'AQ c. PURPURA Q UICK DRYING FLATIRON Filed May 12, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheetl I gigi. l

June 25, 1946. A. c. 'PURPURA 2,402,575

QUICK DRYING FLATIRON Filed May l2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2llnmllllllllmllllll; IHIIIHIIIIHIIIIIIIII ununmnnmnu Patented June 25,-1-946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QUICK DBYING FLATIRON August Purpura,Chicago, Ill. Application May 12, 1942, 'Serial No. 442,586

The object of the present invention is greatly.

to speed up the ordinary ironing operations with hand ilatirons and,further, to make it simple and easy to dry, by ironing, goods that-haveheretofore been regarded asbeing too wet for ironing'.

In carrying out my invention, I provide meansv to evacuate ythe moistureprogressively as it is transformed into steam, so that no blanket ofsteam can form between the face of the iron and the goods to act as aheat insulator and create a ,pressure which results in raising theboiling point of the water in the goods. Th'e invention may therefore beregarded as having for its object a simple, novel and efficient means towithdraw the moisture from goods, in hand ironing, as soon as it isconverted into steam.

The particular means which I employ involves (Cl. 21B-25) vention ischaracterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity intheclaims; but,

the creation of a partial vacuum between the iron.

and the goods; and. because this permits the water in the steam to bevaporized at a lower temperature than is the case at atmosphericpressure, the present invention may be said to have for its object togive to a hand flatiron the capacity to iron goods successfully at lowertemperatures than in the case of an ordinary iron.

-A further object of the present invention is so to coordinate thevacuum producing means and the atiron that there shall be nointerference with the transmission of heat from the heating device tothe sole of the iron, so that the total heat energy is utilized totransform m isture in the goods into steam.

" A further object of the present invention is to produce a simple andnovel .constriuztion and arrangement whereby, using only a single plug,the conductors 'for the electricity to energize the flatiron and theconduit for carrying away the moisture, may be simultaneously coupled toor uncoupled from' the ilatiron. A

A further object of the present invention is to produce a simple andnovel pump for creating the needed partial vacuum and causing themoisture to be withdrawn from goods that are being ironed l The variousfeatures of novelty whereby my inthe under face of for a fullunderstanding of my invention and of its objects and advantages,reference may be had .to the following detailed description ktaken inconnection with thev accompanying drawings, where- Figure l is a sideelevational View of an electric atiron and cooperating vacuum producingand moisture removing means, embodying the present invention, and shownas resting on a table or other support;` Fig. 2 is a longitudinalvertical section through the ilatiron; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan yew ofthe ilatiron; Fig. 4 is a central vertical section through the pump unitshown in Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 2; Fig.6 is a view similar to Fig.`4, showing a modicatiom and Fig. 'I is asection on line 1-1 of Fig. 6, showing only the vibrator and a fragmentof its supporting shaft.

Referring toFigs. 1 to 5, l represents any usual or suitable handilatiron. In the drawings the iron is electrically heated, and for thesakeof brevity, only this particular embodiment of the invention will bespecifically described. In the arrangement shown, the bottom or soleplate 2 of the iron is heated by any usual or suitabie heating element 3overlying the same.

In accordance with my invention. I provide means for permitting theescape of moisture as soon as it is converted into steam below the soleplate. In the arrangement shown there are in the sole plate a pluralityof channels or grooves l radiating from a common center. A nipple 5extends through the sole plate at this common center and is provided inthe sides with perforations 6 communicating with the grooves orchannels. A little pipe or conduit 1 leads from the end of the nipplelying in the interior of the atiron to the outside where it isultimately connected to a suitable pump 8.

It will be seen that when suction is applied to the pipe 1, a partialvacuum is created in thc channels l whenever the sole plate of the ironis resting upon a piece of goods that is being ironed. Consequentlysteam that is generated through the heat of the iron enters the channelsand is carried away through the nipple. The grooves or channels may bevariously disposed. In the arrangement shown there are only four of themarranged in the form of an X, the ends of which lie near but spacedapart from the side edges of the iron lengthwise, for any desireddistance in the direction of such movement. It will also be seen thatthere is no interference with the transmission of heat to the sole plateexcepting, only, in the small area occupied by the nipple, so that theefilciency of the iron, so far as transmission of heat to the goods isconcerned, is not diminished to any appreciable extent. Also, becausethe moisture is carried away directly from the nipple by the little pipeor conduit, it exerts no influence, whatever, upon the heating capacityof the iron, after having been Withdrawn from beneath the sole'plate.

The connection to the pipe or conduit 1 from vthe outside, may beconveniently made through an ordinary plug 9 which contains anopen-ended tubular element I so located and constructed that when the`plug is attached to the iron in the customary manner for attaching theusual electric conductors to the terminals in the iron, the lower end ofthe element I0 ts tightly upon a frustoconical tip Il positioned on theupper end of the pipe above the top of the body of the iron beside theelectric terminals. A rubber tube I3 is connected to the upper end ofthe tubular element I0 and, along with the usual cord I4, forms a `cablethat extends to the pump. At the pump there may be a switch I5 thatcontrols the circuits for the flat iron and the motor for the pump, aswell.

The pump apparatus illustrated comprises a housing I1 on one side ofwhich is mounted an electric motor I8 whose shaft I9 extends into thehousing through a wall thereof. rPhe housing contains a ilexiblepartition 22 in a plane at right angles to the motor shaft, therebycreating a shallow pump chamber 23 in one side of the housing. A shelf24 projects outwardly from the wall of the housing forming the mainouter wall of the pump chamber. Located beneath and detachably securedto the shelf is a container for water, preferably of glass. The interiorof the container communicates with the pump chamber by means of apassage 26 in the shelf. In this passage is a check valve 21 thatpermits fluids to flow from the compartment into the container andprevents any ow in the opposite direction. The rubber tube I3 isattached to a nipple 28, the passage in which is continued through thehousing wall to the pump chamber, so as to place the rubber hose incommunication with this chamber. In this latter passage is a check valve29 that permits fluids to flow from the tube into the pump chamber butnot in the opposite direction.

By rapidly vibrating the diaphragm, the size of pump chamber isalternately decreased and in creased. Upon each decrease some of thefluid in the chamber is pushed out into the container 26; and duringevery increase, iluid is drawn from the rubber hose into the chamber. Inthis way a partial vacuum is created in the rubber tube and, therefore,at the face ofthe sole plate. Therefore, at each suction stroke of thediaphragm,

' some duid is withdrawn from beneath the sole plate into the pumpchamber.

The vibration of the diaphragm is conveniently brought about by means ofa face cam 30 fixed on the end of the motor shaftrandengaging a lug 32fixed to the middle of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is of theresilient type, being formed of spring metal, it' tends constantly toremain in or assume the position illustrated in 4; the pump chamber nowbeing of maximum size. The center of the diaphragm is pressed toward theright during each revolution of the motor, thus effecting a decrease inthe size of the pump chamber. Wherever the cam permits, the diaphragmsprings back to its normal position and remains there until the highportion of the cam again acts on it.

'Ihe shelf 24 is preferably provided with a passage 33 through which thecontainer is vented to atmosphere, to avoid the building up of backpressure in the container.

That portion of the motor shaft in the housing is preferably providedwith a fan element 34 to produceva circulation of air to cool the pumpapparatus as a whole.

In Figs. 6 and '1 I have illustrated a modified form of pump. Instead ofemploying a housing and a pump casing, there is a single two-part casing35 between the parts of which is clamped the diaphragm 22. This casingis secured to a supporting member 36 which carries the shelf 24 fromwhich the container 25 is suspended. The pump chamber 31 lies betweenthe diaphragm and the casing wall 38 engaged with the support. Thepassage 26 extends through this wall as does the passage39 leading to anipple 40 corresponding to the nipple 29 in the other form. Thediaphragm is operated by a vibrator consisting of a stationaryelectromagnet 42 and a cooperating L-shaped rocking armature 43. One armof this armature lies above the stationary electromagnet while the otherlies near and parallel to the diaphragm. The armature is supported forrocking movements by a pin 44. Normally the parts occupy the positionsshown in Fig. 6, a ball or knob 45 on the vertical arm of the rockingarmature contacting the diaphragm at the center of the latter and theother arm standing clear of the electromagnet. When the electromagnet isenergized it alternately draws the armature toward it and releases it,thereby producing the same kind of vibrations in the diaphragm as in thecase of the motor-operated one. The armature may be provided with heatdissipating means, illustrated as taking the form of a vane 46projecting from the short arm of the armature.

It is highly desirable that the iron be prevented from overheating and,therefore, I have provided a simple thermostatic control means whichshuts oil the heating current whenever any desired temperature isreached and turns it on again upon a predetermined drop of temperature.In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 the conductors in the cable I4 areconnected to two movable switch ilngers 46 and 41 which normally are outof contact with each other. These fingers are located within the body ofthe iron and, therefore, I have provided a simple thermostatic controlmeans which shuts o the heating current whenever any desired temperatureis reached and turns it on again upon a predetermined drop oftemperature. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 the conductors in thecable I4 are connected to two movable switch lingers 46 and 41 whichnormally are out of contact with each other. These fingers are locatedwithin the body of the iron, well above the sole plate. Extending intothe body of the iron from above is a screw 48 having thereon a fingerpiece 43 for turning the same. The switch and the screw may both besupported by a bracket I6 in such positions relative to each other thatthe screw may press down the finger 46 until it contacts the finger 41and, thereafter force both fingers down together.

Attached at one end to the top of the sole plate,

below the switch,is a bimetallic strip 52. The free end of the strip B2underlies'one end of a lever 53 pivotally supported between its ends onthe bracket, below the switch. The switch finger l1 is longer than thefinger 46 so that its free end projects beyond the free end of thelatter. The second end of the rocking lever 53 has a hook 5I risingtherefrom and extending back over the free end of the finger 4l; .theparts being so proportioned that there is some play between the lever.

and the iinger. When the switch is closed, the finger 4l may or may notbe pressed down until it contacts the underlying lever, depending uponthe temperature at which the switch is to open. In any event, when thistemperature isreached, the free end of the bimetallic strip -52 rises,rocking the lever 533 and causing the hook thereon to pull the nger @ldown and open the switch. It will be seen that if the switch fingers arepushed down far: enough to rock 'the lever 53 and lift the end incontact with the bimetallic strip clear of the strip, it will take ahigher temperature to cause the strip to open the switch than is thecase when the lever engages the strip while the switch remains closed.

It will thus be seen that I have'made it possible, without otherwiseinterfering with the efiiciency of a hand electric fiatiron, to iron anddry goods more rapidly and at lower temperatures than heretofore andspeedily to iron and dry goods that have heretofore been regarded as toowet to vpermit ironing without pre-drying. It will further be seen that,although a pump is employed, this does not add to the labor of theironer, because the pump remains stationary in use, beingn simplypermanently connected to one end oi a cable the other end of which isplugged into the iron in the usual way; the only dinerences being thatan air or steam line is coupled to the iron simultaneously with, thecompleting of the electrical connection. It will also be seen that theoperation of the iron is automatically controlled to maintain, as nearlyas need be, any

6 desired temperature provided that the user properly sets thecontrolling iinger piece. additionally seen that I have produced simple,eflicient and durable pumpingjmeans for creating the suction necessaryfor the withdrawal of the moisture from beneath. the sole plate of thenatiron.

While I have illustrated and described with particularity only apreferred embodiment of my invention, with a slight modification, I donot desire to be limited to all o! the particular details illustratedand described; but intend to cover all constructions and arrangementscoming within the definitions of my invention constituting th appendedclaims.

I claim:

l. In combination, an electrically heated atiron provided with a soleplate having a small opening through the `bottom face and a plurality oflong channels of a depth less than the thickness oi' the sole plateextending into the iron through said i'ace and radiating from saidopening, and a vacuum conduit extending through the body of the iron andconnected to said opening.

A 2. 'Ihe combination with an electrically heated hand flatiron havingterminals and a bottom face, oi' a conduit opening through said face andprovided with an outlet for steam generated below the iron, a suctiontube and conductors for an enn ergizing current, and means consisting ofa single plug element for simultaneously connecting the tube to theoutlet and the conductors to the ter- I minals. l

3. The combination with an electrically heated hand atiron havingterminals and a bottom face, of a conduit opening through said face andpro-I vided with an outlet for steam generated below.

the tube and conductors for simultaneously 'connesting the tube to theoutlet and the conductors to the terminals.

AUGUST C. PURPURA.

It will be

